PREPCOM HIGHLIGHTS: TUESDAY, 5 APRIL 1994

During the course of the day 59 countries, IGOs and NGOs commented
on the ICPD draft action programme.

THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND THE QUALITY OF
LIFE presented a number of recommendations, including
imposition of a new internationally monitored taxation system to
alleviate the cost of population policies and programmes.
PARAGUAY stressed the need to improve the management
capacity of UNFPA and to make more resources available to
organizations that deal with population and health issues.
CANADA agreed with the basic tenets of the document, but
said that it was too lengthy and repetitive. The action programme
should emphasize research and monitor the effectiveness of UN
population activities.

THE UNITED STATES confirmed its commitment to the underlying
principles of the draft document, including: reduction of the
gender gap in education; emphasis on the family; and cooperative
efforts in contraceptive research. THE PHILIPPINES supported
the basic principles of the draft programmes of action, especially
human rights, the family, migration, reproductive rights and
reproductive health. He did not endorse the use of abortion as a
means of contraception. NICARAGUA objected to the idea that
education expenses are seen as a cost, rather than investments
that yield long-term positive returns. Adoption should replace
abortion as a solution to unwanted pregnancies.

SWITZERLAND advocated increased national budgets for
population activities. He discouraged setting objectives that are
weaker than those set in other fora, such as the Children's Summit.
IRAN emphasized nations' rights to define their own
population policies within their own cultural and religious values.
He supported greater focus on unsustainable consumption patterns as
a major contributing factor to underdevelopment. CROATIA
pointed out the diversity of population density and structure among
nations. He called for strengthening capacity building and
technology transfer in newly emerging States.

MALAWI recommended increased emphasis on the needs of
disabled families, especially those afflicted by AIDS, and the need
for more emphasis on the role of men in family planning and
reproductive health. THE HOLY SEE expressed criticism on the
lack of ethics in the document. He supported the concept of
reproductive health for the well-being of women, but rejected the
concept of reproductive rights. He reiterated their opposition to
abortion and lamented the lack of reference to natural methods of
family planning. ARGENTINA urged against any
supra-nationally imposed planning objectives for population and
development. The objective of all population policies should be the
protection of the family and each of its members.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION assured its continued support
for the ICPD and its collaboration with UNFPA. He placed priority
on education in population and health policies, especially in the
areas of reproductive health and AIDS. ZERO POPULATION
GROWTH supported the new US policies on population, environment
and economic growth. She called for focus on issues such as the
root causes of migration and universal access to contraceptives and
abortion. YOUTH DELEGATES FOR POPULATION INFORMATION pointed
to such problems affecting youth as: early marriages, early and
unwanted pregnancies, sexually-transmitted diseases and substance
abuse, all of which have grave impacts on population density.

FAMILY CARE INTERNATIONAL announced a collaborative paper on
issues related to population and development. Its recommendations
included increased male responsibility in family planning, a weak
point in the ICPD document. BRAZIL reiterated the concern of
developed and developing nations regarding the main concepts of
population and development. He placed emphasis on the importance of
ICPD follow-up to ensure the implementation of the action
programmes. INDIA said that the Cairo Document should not
contain a basis for action and the objectives, but, instead, should
focus on the action points. She supported the recommendation that
20% of national public sector expenditures and 20% of development
assistance be devoted to the social sector.

FINLAND, on behalf of the Nordic countries, said that
population-relevant policies and programmes should be based on the
concept of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The chapters
on follow-up require more substance and clarity. PERU
recommended that environmental linkages appear throughout the
document; social, economic and demographic differences between
developing and developed countries be better articulated; and
greater coordination is needed at all levels. BANGLADESH
highlighted poverty alleviation; education and access to jobs;
international cooperation; empowerment of women; creation of
increased employment opportunities; and development of new and safe
fertility control methods.

MICRONESIA, on behalf of the Pacific island States, reported
on the South Pacific region's preparations for the ICPD, including
the Port Vila Declaration on Population and Development adopted
last September. He stressed the role of NGOs. NEPAL
stressed the centrality of the human person in achieving
sustainable development. Political commitment, partnership between
governments and NGOs, adequate funding, the empowerment of women,
and adequate follow-up should be stressed. MEXICO
highlighted the importance of the relationship between population,
sustained economic growth and sustainable development; the role of
regional mechanisms; education; and internal and international
migration.

VENEZUELA said the action programme can serve as a guide for
discussion of population problems and poverty. Population policies
should be considered within economic and social development
strategies. AUSTRIA called for more emphasis on human
rights, education for all by the year 2000, shared responsibility
between men and women, and migration policy. INDONESIA, on
behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, stressed the importance of
capacity building, human development, the status of women within
the context of the family, and the need for international
cooperation, including South-South cooperation.

BOLIVIA said poverty exacerbates rural migration to urban
centres. The ICPD goals can only be met through better commitment
by the funding agencies. UNIDO said education, food supply,
and income generation are among the central needs of newly
industrialized developing countries. The key issue is how the
industrial sector can better meet the needs of the poor.
ESTONIA, on behalf of the Baltic Countries, mentioned
population problems related to Soviet domination and forced
migration policies. Abortion is now widely practiced in the absence
of safe contraceptives.

NAMIBIA mentioned theimportance of human resources,
especially where HIV is predominant. Research on the short-term and
long-term impact of population displacement on family structure is
needed as well as more emphasis on male responsibility. THE
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SETTLEMENTS questioned the lack of
reference to ILO Conventions. Principles regarding migration could
be strengthened through reference to adequate housing. The action
programme must provide more attention to NGO involvement.
ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTARY SURGICAL CONTRACEPTION said the
problem of post-abortion care must be addressed. The importance of
male involvement should be highlighted. Informed and free choice
must be upheld.

INTERNATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE said the draft document must
mention the rights of unborn children. It enshrines children, but
also advocates violence against them. The document imposes a form
of imperialism on developing countries, endangering the dignity of
women. NATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
urged access to culturally acceptable family healthcare and
universal access to contraceptives. The document should focus more
on adolescent pregnancy. DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES WITH WOMEN FOR
A NEW ERA said that religious and political fundamentalism
threatens women since it defines the family as one headed by a man.
Policies should recognize the current reality to ensure protection
of women's rights.

ROMANIA mentioned that there is a decrease in population in
the Eastern bloc that has been paradoxically associated with
decreases in the quality of life. THAILAND said that
South-South cooperation is important and collective self-reliance
should be encouraged. International cooperation should include
technical cooperation among developing countries. ORGANIZATION
OF AFRICAN UNITY raised the importance of women. Financial and
technical support is needed to ensure sustainable economic growth.

JAMAICA said more information on the character of migration
is needed to ensure the appropriate legal framework to monitor
migration and to protect migrants and women. PAKISTAN said
population policies can only be effective through a bottom-up
approach. The role of women must be guaranteed. NGOs can play an
important role in public education. MALI said that in order
to provide universal access to primary health care, full popular
participation must be assured. AIDS information programmes and
adolescent education are needed.

JORDAN raised the importance of the enhancement of women,
especially in political life. Each country should adopt its own
population policies in accordance with local cultural and religious
values. DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA said
population must be at the center of development planning, based on
the philosophical and historical foundation of each country.
MYANMAR said that diversity in population density and
structure should discourage universal policies. The right of
individuals to control the number and spacing of their children
should be protected.

GUINEA BISSAU supported the G-77 statement on the draft
programme of action. TURKEY said the linkages between
population and social development should not be limited to the
ICPD. The role of women and NGOs should be acknowledged. UGANDA
affirmed the negative impact of population growth on economic
sustainablity, and expressed concern about the lack of financial
and technical resources.

AFGHANISTAN said policy implementation in the least
developed countries is costly, especially where war has caused
population displacement. INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF PARLIAMENTARIANS
ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT called for increased resources
from the developed to developing countries. Women should be
included in policy-making and implementation. BENIN
acknowledged the linkage between population and economic growth.
Policies should focus on such issues as employment, education,
family rehabilitation, and AIDS and malaria.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA said particular emphasis should be given
to the family, education for family planning, and a comprehensive
strategy to cope with migration and AIDS. BURKINA FASO
emphasized that many existing programmes have not been effectively
implemented because of the lack of financial resources. WORLD
ALLIANCE FOR THE FAMILY deplored the use of abortion and
compulsory sterilization. Third World men and women have been used
as slaves in medical testing.

FAMILY LIFE COUNCIL said that he had been unable to
participate in NGO discussions because he was pro-abortion. The
Chair requested the Secretariat to look into this matter of
discrimination. ETHIOPIA mentioned the importance of gender
equality, education for girls, employment opportunities for women,
international and internal migration, and domestic capacity
building. CZECH REPUBLIC: said that health care, child care,
and comprehensive population education are essential. The
well-being of vulnerable groups must be addressed.

GLOBE said that goals for unsustainable consumption must be
addressed in the action programme. Early warning systems must be
developed for international migration crises. FOUR DIRECTIONS
COUNCIL said that increased information on birth control is
greatly needed in indigenous areas. Resources must be provided to
stimulate research on traditional methods and technologies for
sustaining population and development in indigenous communities.